rulers

noun

plural of ruler
as in monarchs
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority the aging ruler agonized over the choice of an heir

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rulers Although individual rulers adopted Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Daoism, or traditional Mongol religion, the Mongols generally practiced religious tolerance. — Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026 Syria’s new rulers have asked Russia to hand the Assads over. — CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026 Syria's new rulers have asked Russia to hand the Assads over. — FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Both superstars have accumulated seven champions and share the honor of claiming the third-most rulers ever. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Many other personalist post-Soviet states have created institutional mechanisms for selecting new rulers or communicating clear expectations about who will take power after the current leader leaves. — Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 Oft referred to as the king and queen of Italian wine, Barolo and Barbaresco can truly reign together as co-rulers, especially when produced by those with a foot in each appellation. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026 For most of history, order was imposed from above because rulers did not trust ordinary people with power. — Keith Krach, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rulers
  1. monarchs
  2. kings
  3. emperors
  4. sovereigns
Noun
  • That was in line with a tradition of Liechtenstein monarchs giving up the reins to their heirs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • That was in line with a tradition of Liechtenstein monarchs giving the reins to their heirs.
    — Geir Moulson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of monarchs
Noun
  • Spain moves kings’ remains to avoid fire Spanish authorities on Thursday night transferred the remains of three 11th century kings from a monastery in the northeastern Aragón region near an active wildfire.
    — Angela Charlton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Clean water and advanced medicine, for example, are now commonplace across much of the developed world despite once being a luxury even kings and queens couldn’t reliably access.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of kings
Noun
  • Maybe it’s supposed to end this way — as admirers who became combatants, who bonded as only emperors can, then became close.
    — Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Various polls have shown most people are open-minded about female emperors.
    — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of emperors
Noun
  • On 28 July, Moody’s changed its MENA outlook from stable to negative, noting that the impairment of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will weigh on the growth of Gulf sovereigns, as well as their fiscal and external positions.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • As one of the big three ratings agencies, alongside Fitch and Moody’s, S&P Global plays a crucial role in determining whether African sovereigns and businesses can secure capital from international financial markets.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of sovereigns

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ruler
rulers
rulership
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Cite this Entry

“Rulers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rulers. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rulers

Nglish: Translation of rulers for Spanish Speakers

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